----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THUNDERBIRD 2 Heavy Transport & Rescue Vehicle For Flight Simulation Version 5 and BAO Flight Shop Designed by RICHARD RUSSELL March 97 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watching Thunderbirds as a small boy I often dreamed of flying Thunderbird 2, and I was probably not the only one. 30 odd years later and with the advent of Flight Shop almost anything is now possible. With my love, interest and hands on experience with Vulcan Bombers, I had to make the Vulcan my first project, after which I explored the possibilities of producing a reasonable looking and flying Thunderbird 2. After producing my own three view drawings from my sons model of Thunderbird 2 I began a few experiments to see if it was possible to produce something which looked right, and it was. I originally wanted to have lowering Pod, extending main legs and all sorts of things, but in the end as it is only a 'fun' machine I opted to keep it simple. Trying to sort out a flight mode for an aircraft which only exists in fantasy and on film was not easy, especially when Flight Shop does not cater for VSTOL aircraft let alone ones that are hypersonic! I looked at quite a few flight modes for helicopters and other VSTOL aircraft, and in the end I based mine on Bill Lyons Jet Ranger helicopter (check it out, it looks good and flies well too). Its time to prepare yourself for the flight of your life at the controls of one of the most advanced Heavy Transport and Rescue Vehicles ever made (even if the pilot is controlled by strings, sorry Virgil.....) Why not use TB2 in BAO's Rescue 911 and give yourself the edge. It's time for me go and let you get on with it, make sure you read the Flying Notes and after a few hours in the hot seat see if you can land her on the Baseball field or in the Football stadium just outside Meigs, and remember, Thunderbirds are GO, F.A.B. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- FLYING ******** My Thunderbird 2 is not able to fly more than 300 knots without experiencing problems, so if you want to go faster try increasing the 'Simulation Rate' by pressing 'R' followed by '+' or '-' that way you can get up to 1,200 knots even with the autopilot on, or faster with it off if you are a real nutter... As a fun aircraft I don't consider the speed aspect a problem, try to go for pinpoint accuracy instead of all out power. You MUST DISENGAGE the auto rudder before you start flying, preferably before you select TB 2 from the Aircraft menu. Remember to calibrate your joystick and set you elevator trim to neutral. F5 will give you 0' deflection for normal flight, F6-F7 for intermediate hovering/forward flight and F8 for hovering. For a VTOL take-off press F8 to select 90' thrust and add power slowly, she will rise after moving forwards briefly. To make the transition to forward flight Press F5. You can select flaps\airbrakes\landing lights by pressing '/'. Note the hovering spoilers deploy automatically when you select 'hover mode' F8 (my own touch). To descend at a high rate vertically, reduce the power to zero then select F8 and as soon as you touch down put on the brakes and get on with rescue. Applying full rudder (0/INS for Left, ENTER for Right on the Numeric Keyboard) in the hover will turn TB 2 almost on the spot with only slight stabilisation from your joystick required. Remember to centre the rudder by pressing '5'. You can 'sling her around' if you wish, Thunderbird 2 is very manoeuvrable, enjoy your self drop me a line and let me know what you think. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTROLS *********** F5, Normal Thrust /, Flaps, Spoilers, Landing Lights F6, 30' Deflected Thrust F7, 60' Deflected Thrust Don't forget the Nav Lights F8, 90' Hovering Thrust All Other Controls are Standard. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- INSTALLATION ************* Notes amended by Austin Tate, 13-Jan-2000 [FOR FS 5] Copy the TB2.AIR file into your Flight Simulator 'SIM' Sub Directory. Copy the TB2\TEXTURE\TB2.*AF files into your Flight Simulator 'TEXTURE' Sub Directory. [FOR FS98 or FS2000 ] Copy the TB2 directory to your Aircraft Folder in the appropriate Flight Sim directory. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT *********** This software is FREEWARE and must not be sold, or reproduced in any way without my written consent. My name as designer must remain should this software be modified for your own use. But most of all enjoy it..... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER ************ This program has been tested with Flight Sim 5.1 with no problems. I accept no responsibility for any problems which may occur from using this software. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you would like a copy of the Flight Shop files send $7 or £5 (7 US Dollars or 5 UK Pounds) to the address below and I will send you the full files on 3.5" disk within 10 days. Cheques or Money Orders require 14 Days clearance. RICHARD RUSSELL, **PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR FULL ADDRESS** 2 SAFFRON COURT, SNOW HILL, BATH, NORTH SOMERSET, ENGLAND, BA1 6DF. ***************************************************************************** I am not 'On Line' yet but hope to be soon, If the wife will let me !!